Dealing With Grief
Beyond Sympathy Gifts: Helping Those Grieving
What is your initial thought when you learn that a family member or friend is dealing with the loss of a loved one? Is it calling your local florist to send flowers? Searching for the perfect Memorial Gift Ideas? Do you struggle with what to say or do?
When my family was dealing with a traumatic death, the flowers, meals, and cards were generously flooding our home. While we appreciated every gesture, there was one that stood out. It wasn’t a monetary sympathy gift, a delicious meal, or a meaningful card. It was simply an act of kindness… by a 16 year old high school student.
She appeared the day of my brother’s funeral. We didn’t know her and had no idea of her connection with my brother. She was just there. People were gathering at our home prior to the funeral. Meals were placed on the kitchen counter, half empty cups where scattered all over the house, and it was very chaotic, to say the least. As we were leaving for the funeral, this young lady asked if she could stay behind to “clean up the mess”. While we encouraged her to go to the funeral, she declined.
While we were mourning our loss, she was doing something different; something unexpected. When we returned to our home, we were greeted by the smell of freshly brewed coffee. All the casseroles were heated and placed, ever so beautifully, in our kitchen. Every left behind cup was gone. Each pillow was fluffed and placed warmly on our sofa. The house was comforting and inviting.
The memory of this moment still stings my eyes. As I look back on this day, I do not recall if she was told how much she was appreciated… if she truly understood the impact her act of compassion had our family. Did her parents know what an amazing young lady they had raised?
How can we help those grieving? Please share your stories to enlighten those who are searching for ways to help or words to say.
God Bless You!
Debbie
Personalized Memorial Christmas Ornaments
The Christmas Holiday Season is usually a time of celebration and family traditions. Unfortunately, for many grieving people, this time of year can be very difficult. What our grieving friends and families need is our love and support, more than any monetary gift. While we wish there is something we could do to ease their pain, just being there with a listening ear and loving arms is all that is required.
When we feel as though we would like to give a Memorial Gift to ease the pain, a suitable gift is usually difficult to find. In this situation, it is not the cost of the gift that matters, it’s the thought and impact the gift will have to help them feel as though their loved one is close during the holidays. Remember Me offers a great selection of inexpensive Personalized Memorial Christmas Ornaments just for that reason.
“Forever In Our Hearts” is a sentiment that expresses the feelings of those grieving. We offer a few Personalized Memorial Ornaments with this popular saying:
Another popular and comforting sentiment is Christmas In Heaven. We also offer a couple of ornaments with this saying:
We also carry a selection of Personalized Memorial Christmas Ornaments with the simple sentiment of “In Loving Memory”:
Remember Me Gift Boutique offers a variety of Sympathy Gifts and Memorial Gift Ideas for those grieving during the holidays. Please feel free to visit our website. If you do not know what to give, please just contact us and we will find the perfect gift to express your sentiment keeping your budget in mind. We truly desire to bring comfort to those who are grieving.
Creating a Memory Table for Your Wedding
Creating a Memory Table for Your Wedding
RememberMeGiftBoutique.com was recently featured by Dressy Girl Kouture. If you haven’t read our guest blog, please click here.
Our Memorial Picture Frames, Memory Vase and Memory Candles can be combined to create a beautiful Memory Table for your wedding. A special thanks to Dressy Girl Kouture for featuring our ideas.
Creating a Memorial Garden with Kids for Pet Loss
As adults, the loss of a pet is extremely difficult. What makes matter worse is watching our children grieve over this loss. It’s often their first lesson in dealing with grief and the healing process.
Creating a memorial garden does not have to be complicated, at all. It can be as simple as displaying a pet memorial stone in an area of your garden surrounded by seasonal flowers with a Memorial Tree. Having your child help with the design of the memorial garden will help with the healing process. Allow them to pick out the flowers and help plant them. Let them know that this is their special area.
Creating a Memorial Garden Just in Time for Spring!
Just imagine creating a special place to remember and heal from the loss of a loved one. A memorial garden is just the place to bring comfort to a grieving soul. The garden can be as large or as small as you would like. Whether you are planting a memorial tree or a flowerbed filled with different flowers, the memorial garden is limited to your imagination, space restrictions and budget.
When selecting flowers for your memorial garden, consider selecting plants that have a specific meaning. For example, forget-me-nots and rosemary both represent memories, and poppies are considered the flowers for rest or eternal sleep. Perhaps the individual you are remembering had a favorite flower such as roses. You can plant a rose bush in their honor.
A nice addition to any memorial garden is a memorial garden stone. These stones can be as simple as the individual’s name and at rest date, or a stone that has a beautiful scripture passage or message. If your garden is large enough, you might consider adding both types of memorial garden stones and bordering them with seasonal flowers.
The quite, soothing sound of wind chimes is another comforting element to add to your memorial garden. Personalized wind chimes can be designed with your loved one’s picture, your personal thoughts, or appropriate bible verses. There are even wind chimes available that can hold a small portion of cremains. The wind chime’s sound will be heard from any area of your backyard bringing remembrance and comfort even outside of the memorial garden.
Spring is in the air, and it is the perfect time to consider adding this memorial garden to your backyard landscape. What a beautiful long-lasting tribute to any loved one who has passed away.
Hugs for Someone in Need on Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is a wonderful day for most, but a very sad and lonely day for some. Take a moment and think of the people you know, and chances are, someone’s Valentine’s Day is not worth celebrating. Many hearts are recovering from broken relationships. Some are grieving the loss of a loved one who shared in the celebration of this day just a year ago. There are parents who routinely gave their child Valentine’s Day candy, only to wish they were here today to enjoy it.
This morning, I called my 91-year-old Grandmother. Last night, she returned home after being in the hospital due to a “mini stroke”. My Grandfather passed away many years ago, and I know this is a lonely day for her. On top of that, she is not feeling well, and is completely alone.
Grandma just sounded weary, and I assumed it was due to her illness. I instructed her to take it easy, and get some rest. She said, “Yes, I know. Everyone is telling me that. But, all I want to do is go to the Singles Valentine’s Day party at my church tonight”.
My grandmother is such an inspiration to me. Her husband passed away many years ago. She has been struggling with illness this past year. She still lives alone in her condo and drives to Walmart on a daily basis. And, yes, she wanted to go “party” tonight. In my opinion, her Valentine’s Day is NOT a day for celebration.
However, my Grandmother is celebrating. She entered the hospital on Friday night in an ambulance, unresponsive to all her the medical attention, and the prognosis was not good. Her entire church and family prayed consistently for her. Miraculously, she is HOME for Valentine’s Day!
When I concluded my conversation with my grandmother, she was so thankful and felt incredibly blessed to be living today. Her Valentine’s Day ended up being a cause for celebration.
I didn’t know that I needed it, but she sent me a “hug” today. An incredibly special “Valentine’s Day Hug”.
RememberMeGiftBoutique.com wants to send out as many “Valentine’s Day Hugs” as possible. Please take a moment to share in this desire and give someone a precious gift… your “hug” might really touch someone’s life today.
Please continue to follow RememberMeGiftBoutique.com/blog for daily inspiration.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Are You Stressed or Depressed this Holiday Season?
OK, take a deep breath and a moment to help yourself find a way to deal with the stress, and sometimes depression, that will hit you during the next few days. Our Christmastime mentality puts us in high gear to have the Norman Rockwell family get-togethers with all the trimmings!
We set ourselves up for disappointment with such expectations! Years ago, I read an article that touched on this subject. I can sum up what I learned from this article in one sentence: Instead of trying to realize all of your expectations, just look for that moment or two that you can carry in your heart for years to come. I actually have practiced this philosophy for many years. I have a memory full of these moments!
We tend to miss what we don’t have. Unfortunately, we all are missing someone on Christmas. Many of us yearn for the presence of that special person who has passed away. I know I do. Sometimes, it seems impossible to get past this feeling. But, you can try…
Our memories are the most priceless gift that we possess. Take a moment to open up this gift and allow the memories to bring you comfort. Talk about them… chances are, others will treasure them as much as you do.
A Sympathy Message for Christmas
Often a sympathy message or sympathy poem will mean more to a grieving family member than anything else. While we’d like to acknowledge their grief, we should to do it in a simple and respectful manner.
I found this beautiful poem that would be perfect for those who will be grieving during Christmas this year; perhaps this is their first Christmas without their loved one. I can imagine typing up this poem, framing it very simply and inexpensively, wrapping it with beautiful paper, and putting an ornament on it with a bow. What a simple and beautiful way to recognize and ease their pain, while also paying tribute to their lost loved one.
My First Christmas in Heaven – Words of Sympathy
I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below
With tiny lights, like Heaven’s stars, reflecting on the snow
The sight is so spectacular, please wipe away the tear
For I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.
I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear
But the sounds of music can’t compare
with the Christmas choir up here.
I have no words to tell you, the joy their voices bring,
For it is beyond description, to hear the angels sing.
I know how much you miss me, I see the pain inside your heart
But I am not so far away, we really aren’t apart.
So be happy for me, dear ones, you know I hold you dear.
And be glad I’m spending Christmas
with Jesus Christ this year.
I sent you each a special gift, from my heavenly home above.
I sent you each a memory of my undying love.
After all, love is a gift more precious than pure gold
It was always most important in the stories Jesus told.
Please love and keep each other, as my Father said to do
For I can’t count the blessing or love he has for each of you
So have a Merry Christmas and wipe away that tear
Remember, I am spending Christmas
with Jesus Christ this year.
( by Author Unknown)
Simple and inexpensive memorial ornaments can be found by clicking here. With a little bit of creativity, and an inexpensive ornament, you can touch someone’s heart during this difficult time.
Remember Me’s Motto: Your Heart is a Gift. Put a Ribbon on It.
How Can We Help Those Grieving this Holiday Season?
Halloween has passed and Thanksgiving is just around the corner. We all know what that means! Christmas will, once again, sneak up on us. Unfortunately, so many of us wish we could just skip over this holiday season. Why?
It is incredibly sad that many are dreading this holiday season due to the passing of a loved one. As many of you, I have personally witnessed a number of families struggles through Christmas… holding back the tears while putting a smile on their face as to not affect everyone else’s Christmas holiday. Through these experiences, this appears to be the biggest obstacle:
People do not know how to react or what to say: Do we mention how we miss that person who has passed away? How will that make those grieving feel? Is it better just to ignore the topic in order to prevent sadness?
This is my personal opinion: They are already deeply saddened. There is nothing we can do or say that will make them feel any worse… well, maybe there is… avoiding the topic. They want to feel as though their loved one’s memory is still very much a part of the holiday season.
As I mentioned, this is my personal opinion due to my unfortunate experiences. I can very well be wrong. Please share your feeling or thoughts on this difficult topic. Perhaps we can make someone’s holiday season a bit less painful.